Swimming device



F. L. SZAFRANSKE.

SWINMING DEVICE,

APFHCATION FILED FEB. 4, i919 Patented May 27, 1919.

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Jwve/nfix @zafmns/ri F. L SZAFRANSKL SWIMMIHG DEVICE APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4 1918.

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JVW 6455b @zaframsiri FRANK L. SZAFRANSKI, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27, 1912.

Application filed February 4, 1919. Serial No. 274,926.

To all whom it may concern:

B it, known that I, FRANK L. SZAFRANSKI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swimming Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to swimming appliances and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting and propelling device for swimmers or bathers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting and propelling device for swimmers, which can be actuated by the feet, so that the hands of the swimmer may be free so that he can use the same for firing a gun or the like.

A still further ob]ect of the invention is toprovide an improved swimming appliance having a pedal arrangement thereon, which is adapted to drive the propeller, so that the device can be operated at a considerable speed through the water.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for moving the propeller at an angle to the device, so that the device can be readily steered through the water.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved swimming appliance, which will keep the swimmer up for a long period of time and one which will allow of considerable speed through the water. 7

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the above character, which is durable and efficient in use one than is simple and easy to manufacture, and one that can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

IVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the improvided swimming appliance,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same,

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the propeller,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 generally indicates the improved swimming appliance which includes a substantially narrow elongated rectangular base plate 2 upon which the swimmer is adapted to recline. The base plate 2 is adapted to be supported in water by a forward pontoon or cylinder 3 and a rear pontoon or airtight cylinder 4. The airtight cylinder l is formed relatively larger than the forward cylinder as most of the weight is to be at that part of the device.

The airtight cylinder 3 is provided with a pair of spaced depending eyes 5 in which are secured depending ropes or cables 6 which have their lower ends secured in eyes 7 of bolts 8 which extend through the body 2. The airtight cylinder or pontoon 4 is provided with depending eyes 9 which receive the cables or ropes 10 which have the lower ends thereof secured in eyes 11 car ried by bolts 12 which extend through thebody 2. The pontoons or airtight cylinders 3 and 4c are spaced a slight distance from the body plate 2, so that the same will be completely submerged when placed in the water. A piece of strap iron 13 is secured to the side of the base plate 2 adjacent the rear end thereof and directly below the rear pontoon 4 and, the strap iron has its ends offset as at l& and bolted as at 15 to the plate. The strap iron and the base plate are provided with alined apertures, through which is positioned'a shaft 16, on which is keyed the relatively large bevel-gear wheel 17. The bevel-gear wheel 17 is positioned between the base plate 2 and the strap iron 13, which forms a guard for the same. Suitable cranks 18 are secured to the terminals of the shaft. Pedals 19 are formed on the ends of the crank arms so that the bevelgear 17 may be readily rotated. The rear end of the base plate 2 is provided with an inwardly extending bore 20, in which is fitted a shaft 21, the inner end of which extends into the enlarged portion 22 formed in the base plate. The enlarged portion 22 is provided with a horizontally extending transverse cutout portion 28, in which is fitted a relatively small bevel-gear wheel 24, which is keyed on the shaft 21, The rear end ofthe plate 2 is provided with pair of spaced extending ears or forks "25,

which have pivotally secured thereto by means of a pivot pin 26 a; forked member 28, which supports a hollow tubing 29. A relatively short shaft section 30 is rotatabl y mounted in the tubing 29 and the outer end thereof has secured thereto the relativelylarge propeller Wheel 31 which will hereinafter be more fully described. The shaft section 30 and the shaft 21 are connected together by a suitable ball and socket joint 32 for allowing a movement between the shafts when so desired.

7 The propeller 31 includes the hub 33 hav ing a plurality of pairs of spaced outstanding cars 34 between which is secured the reduced end 35 of the propeller blades 36.- The propeller mayhave any pitch that the swimmer may desire.

A suitable spacing sleeve 37 is positioned on the shaft 15 between the crank and the body plate, so as to'holdthe cranks in the a pulley 42 which is carried by the lower end ofa bolt 43 rotatably mounted [in the forward end of the body plate which is slotted as at 44 and the bolt 43 receives the steering member 45, by means of which the pulley 42 may be turned, so as to move the guide rope 40 and thus swing the tubular section 29 and the shaft section 30, so as to guide the device through the water. The ends of the steering member 45 are bent inwardly as at 46 to form hand grips, whereby thedevice may be readily steered.

In operation of the improved device, the swimmer lies down upon the base plate with Copies of this patent inay be obtajned'for five cents each, by addressing the his hands 'upbli the 46 and then places his feet upon the pedals 19 and operates'the samein the manner of a bicycle,

which turns the propeller 31 and forces the device and the swimmer through the water.

"In practice, I have found that the form of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is the most efficient and practical; yet realizing the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to, emphasize that various minor changes in details of, construction, proportion andarrangement of parts may be resorted to, when requiredwithout sacrificing any of the advantages of, my invention as set forth. I

What I claim as new is:

1. A swimming appliance comprising an elongated body, pontoons carried by the front and rear ends of the body, a pivoted extension formed on the rear end of the body, a propeller carried by said extension, means for operating said propeller, a pulley carried by the forward end of the body, guide ropes extending around said pulley, outwardly extending arms formed on said pivoted section, the terminals of theguide ropes being secured to said arms, and a handle formed onsaid pulley, as and for the purpose specified. I

2.. A swimmers appliance comprising an elongated body, foot-operated propulsion means mounted upon said body, pontoons arranged on the front and rear ends of the body, and flexible means connecting the pontoons'andbody together, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I aifix in presence of two witnesses;

V FRANK L. .SZAFRANSKI.

I Witnesses: s I

J OSEPI-I ADA SZCZEPANSKI, vDANIE Gnnnynsxl.

my signature Washington, 11., G.

Commissioner of Eatents, 

